Well, it has been quite a while since I wrote a 7 Wonders Wednesday post. Actually, I have been a bit neglectful of this blog for a couple of months, writing only an occasional post. I can assure you that I am still alive and still kicking! In fact, I have been busy collecting favorite links, websites, and blog posts. I have several I want to share over the next few weeks. However, since the title of my link-sharing post is called 7 Wonders Wednesdays, I am limiting the number of links shared to exactly 7 each week.
- I am starting with a link for writers, that is interesting and fun. Brave New Fiction is a Twitter-like platform for writers that fosters creativity. The concept is similar to Twitter and other micro-blogging services. The writer is limited to a certain number of characters in which to convey their thoughts and creativity. The challenge is for the author to write an ongoing story, while being allowed only one line per day. That line must not contain more than 140 characters, but can have less. The idea is to keep your readers coming back for more, as in every single day.
- From the rumor mill: Microsoft maybe pulling an Apple! Apparently, Microsoft may in the process of establishing an app store, called Skymarket. The store will feature applications that can be used with Window’s Mobile-based phones, such as the Blackberry. Could this potentially cut into Apple’s iphone market? hmmm.
- Do you monetize your blog? In their post about how to make money BECAUSE of your blog, the writers at Problogger, detail ten specific ways to do this. These tips go beyond the typical ads, such as google adsense. The ideas mentioned can lead to opportunities outside of your actual blog. Basically, you would use your blog to “sell yourself” so that you may use your writing talent in other ways. For example, you may be able to become a freelance writer, a book author, or sell e-resources. Check out the article for more specifics.
- As a Facebook user, I started to notice a bunch of old-style yearbook pictures creeping up on my friends’ profiles. The faces in the photos were definitely those of my friends, but the hairstyles and fashions were very outdated. Plus, many of these friends hadn’t been in high school for years! I took a closer look, and realized that these photos were made on a new website, called Yearbook Yourself. I just HAD to give it a try. It is so much fun, and way too addictive! All that is involved is uploading a photo, and cropping it into the premade yearbook photo. Photos are available from the early 1950s up to the year 2000. There is a different photo for about every 2-4 years. Trust me, you will want to try out photos for all of the years. Like, I said, this site is quite addicting.
- How much can you say or show in 12-seconds flat? The start-up website, 12seconds.tv will help you find the answer to that. Right now, 12 Seconds is in private alpha. This means it is, most likely, still in the development process, and is by invitation-only. It is similar to micro-blogging services such as Twitter and Plurk. In micro-blogging, you usually have 140ish characters, or less, to write what you are wanting to write. This site is a micro-video service in the same way. With 12Seconds.tv, you have 12 seconds of less to say or show something. The results can range from hilarious and silly to dramatic and profound. See if you can snag an invitation, check out the other videos, and try your hand at making your own video of 12-seconds or less. See just how creative you can be.
- Has it really been 10 years? Apparently, many are celebrating the 10th birthday of Google this month. However, some controversy remains over exactly which day that would fall. TechCrunch details the chronology of the internet-superpower, Google. Do we go by (a) the date the domain was registered (b) the date of incorporation, or (c) some made up day. Depending on which criteria you choose to go by, the dates would be different. Actually, the year, itself, could be entirely different. This month Google turns either, 10, 11, or 13-years old. Which date will you celebrate Google’s birthday? Do you really even care? I mean there are much greater things in this world to worry about than having a birthday party for Google.
- Finally, I would like to share a link to the church of which I am a member. My friend is the webmaster for Lifepoint Church in Ozark, Missouri. She has been working diligently on a brand-spankin’ new website for Lifepoint. She rolled out latest version last weekend. The results are a website that is informative, user-friendly, and extremely professional-looking. Check it out, if you wish. If you are looking for a new church-home in the Springfield-Ozark, Missouri area, you should definitely give Lifepoint a try. It rocks!
Daily Adventures 